F150 Tail Lights: Easy to Steal, Expensive to Replace!

[RickBullotta]

I hope they get syphillis in their eyes.

Sponsored

 

[Zyvin]

Those cartel trucks are looking nice!!!

 

[Bossharp]

Would a one piece hard tonneau cover stopped the theft?

 

[HammaMan]

Curious if the alarm triggers on the newer trucks if the tailgate is forced open as they have sensors detecting the gate is ajar. That combined with a security screw may be sufficient for having them choose a different target.

 

[eharri3]

I do not think any tonneau will completely stop it except maybe that Diamondback but I bet thieves know which ones have the more vulnerable latch mechanisms and look for them first. If I still had my Bakflip i'd be trying to rig a plate up to cover that wire from the direction of the tailgate and from underneath so I had to reach it from behind to pull. Cost them some time and effort.

 

[gh8toes]

Good news for you 2024 owners. Appears Ford has done something right for once. This is from the LatchLid website.

Good News! Ford has changed the latch mechanism on the 2024 F Series. It has additional casing around the latch which appears to make it much harder to access the detent to unlock the tailgate.

So, LatchLid is not required to protect the tail lights on your 2024 truck.

We will continue to monitor the market to see if the bad guys find a way to circumvent the new latch mechanism.

See => LatchLid 2024 owners

Might still want to replace the screws for the tail light and tailgate work surface with tamperproof screws as an extra precaution.

 

[bolts]

Anyone know the thread pitch/size on a '24? This looks like the part.

M6.3 x 1.89 x 15.1 -> 1/4" x 13.5TPI? x .6"; #14x14?

Screw And Washer. Tail Light Bolt. | FordUS

Screw And Washer. Tail Light Bolt.
Part #: N808955S439

Usage: Screw And Washer M6.3 X 1.89 X 15.1 Hex Tap, 10/12/2020, F150, Tail lamps - Level 1, Less Mass Movement Sensor
Section: Rear Lamps

2006-2023 Ford Tail Lamp Assembly Screw N808955-S439 | OEM Parts Online

 

[JohngaltinOC]

I'll be using those screws when my truck comes in. Thanks for posting!

The standard torx security heads would be a good start but the miscreants probably have a set of those on then already. These ScrewD (love the name) seem different.

I was just thinking back to when I put torx head security screw in tail gate lock sleeve. Company I got them from had everything under the sun and allowed small order shipped quickly. I'll find name & share.
Was also thinking use them on tailgate access panel would be smart. Anyone ever try filling in "well" of bolt with solder? Does that work?

 

[RedStorm]

I am really starting to despise our modern "society".

I'm sure the replacement was needed right away, but seems less expensive to go with aftermarket units vs stock dealer parts.

A $6k price tag boggles my mind. I can understand the $600 for the BLIS since I don't think you can get that aftermarket. Like you said, aftermarket LEDs ( like Morimoto) are $700 a pair. And $950 for labor is insane. Where did the other $3k come from?

 

[Dakar09]

A $6k price tag boggles my mind. I can understand the $600 for the BLIS since I don't think you can get that aftermarket. Like you said, aftermarket LEDs ( like Morimoto) are $700 a pair. And $950 for labor is insane. Where did the other $3k come from?

Pretty sure you can get aftermarket units with BLIS now, prob bit more expensive than the plain LED ones but not Ford expensive. And they take what...an hour tops to do both sides? It's insane.

 

[slow3v]

All you need to open a TriFold is a screwdriver and a hanger with a hook.

This has been reported here by a member that had theirs stolen.

That's why we have insurance.

i understand the sentiment, but we should really be removing repeat thieves' fingers hands arms etc.

 

[Eskram]

Rinn, thanks for the screw find. Here may be another option called Latchlid. This YT video show how it works.

Stop Ford Tail Light Theft! LatchLid Install (youtube.com)

Pretty sure I didn't need this, but I ordered it anyway.. ??‍

 

[Rinn69]

Here is a chart I found online. Measure the factory screws to find the matching ScrewD size

 

[Ziggy73]

I haven't looked on mine yet , but one solution is to possibly replace fasteners with security fasteners ?

Yes, this is what I was thinking, it's a possibility they may have the right bits, but most likely not. Sounds like a cheap solution, or at least to slow down for the punks.

 

[okmurdog]

A person could simply fill the OEM bolt head with epoxy/plastic putty/etc...given that the bolts rarely have to be removed...If they do, use a dental pick/chisel to remove the filler...

Sponsored